Machine for sealing boxes



Dec. 26, 1944.

G. w. -voN Fior-'Ey Dec. '26, 1944. G. w. voN l-xol-la' MACHINE FOR SEALING BOXES Filed Nov. 11, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Eso/66's IN VEN TOR. W VON /fa' G. w.-voN HOFE MACHINE Fon sEALING `nomas Dac. 26,- 1944.I

File'gi Nov. 111, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 dft A TTon/vef 26, 1944. VG, w, VQN HQI-'E 2,355,655. v lucarne Fon sEALING Box'ss Filed Nov. 1i, 1942 a sheets-sheet 5 /Y am Dec. 26,1944. i G." w.- voN HoFE MACHINE FOR-SEALING BOXES Filed NOV. 11, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTO W vo/v spe , gse/Pes BY Av'rolwvsf 2,365,665 8 Sheets-Shea? '7 c Rl l- TL M M.: d TN E l.. ....V i- L ,mm

f mw.

e i n m A Dec. 26, 1944. s. w. voN AHows MACHINE ron Smm; soms Filed-Nov. 11. 1942 Dec. 26, 1944. G. w. VON HOFE MACHINE FOR SEALING Boxss 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 11 1 942 234 INVENTOR.

Tea/ws Www Home BY Avv-on' NEL/ or Figi;

i operation Fatentcd Dec. 26, 1944 MACHINE FOB SEALING BOXES vGeorge W. von Hofe, Bound Brook.

to New Jersey Machine Corporation,

N. d.. assigner Hoboken,

N. J.. a corporation oi New Jersey Application November il, 1942, Serial No. 465,269

(Cl. 21B- 55) i9 Cl. The invention relates to machines for sealing boxes and has for its object to provide a. machine of novel and simple construction for applying a seal, for instance, in the form ci a label or its equivalent tg said boxes in amanner to secure the covers thereof in closed position and to prevenlt opening of the boxes Without mutilating the sea n The invention contemplates further the provision of a novel machine for sealing the hinged covers of boxes and more particularly the hinged covers of boxesv designed to receive e, predetermined number of cartridges and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel sealing machine whereby the telescopic covers o f two-part boxes designed for instance to contain vaccines and other medicinal materials, are securelysealed in their closed positions in a manner to prevent unauthorized opening thereof without detectiomand so as to require no particularly skilled supervision of the sealing operation.

Other objects will appear from the description hereinafter and the features oi novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples of the invention without dening its limits,

Fig.. 1 isa fragmentary front elevation of the novel machine;

Fig. 2 is a sectiona1 elevation on the line 2-2 ci Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevatioliof the machine;

liig. 4 is a fraentary section on the line fflt ci Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a chine;

Fig. 6 is a iront elevation of another form. oi the machine;

Fig. 'i is a plan view thereoi;

, Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on the line `front elevation of the novel ma- Fisici. s is e sectional view onine' une 9 9 of Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of the ape plying mechanism, and y Figs. 11 and 12. are perspective views of several l Iforms of boxes capable of being eiciently sealed by the novel machines and illustrating different types of sealing.

' consists of a. carriage it in any convenient manner.

. it is reciprocated on i2 are successively removed for application to the boxes which are to be sealed. Suitable provision is made, in any customary manner, for periodically restoring the upper end of the stack of sealing strips or labels l2 to a predetermined level in proper operative relation to the vcooperating elements of the machine. As the elevating mechanism whereby this periodical adjustment is eected does not per se constitutesl novel feature of themachine, and as such mechanism is well-known., it has not been deemed necessary to illustrate the same. For the purpose-of controlling the aforesaid elevating mechanism, the machine may include any suitable means such as shown for instance in No. 2,227,816 of January 7, 1941.

In the machine as illustrated, the means whereby individual sealing strips it are successively removed from the supply stack and transferred therefrom to the point of application to the elements to be labeled, is of the suction operated type, and per se may be of any suitable con-- struction. As shown, the label transferring means it slidably mounted upon a It supported on the frame The carriage i3 ls slidably reciprocatcd cn. the rail Hl, for instance, by means of an arm it nxed upon a shaftld suitably journalled on the frame it, said arm i5 having its free end pivotally connected withv a. coupling rod lt which in turn is yieldingly and pivotally connected at il with a lug i8 forming part of ornxed upon the carriage it as shown in Fig. 2. y'

' In the operation of horizontal guide rail the machine, the carriage the rail .lli byrocking the shaft it, which swings the arm i5 to alternately push and pull the carriage I3 lengthwise of the rail' it. YThe mechanism whereby said. shaft i6 is vrocked may comprise a gear segment is xed upon the shaft vllt and meshing with a. rack 2li vertically movable in a guideway 2l suitably located upon the frame It as illustrated in Fig. 3. The rack 2u is vertically reciprocated to rock the segment it and shaft It in timed relationship 'lwith the other elements of the machine, in any The box sealing machine in the form shownin f Figs. 1-5V inclusive, includes an upright supporting frame 'III on which a suitable container or hopper Il is mounted in position for proper cowith the associatedl elements of the machine;the

container or hopper II contains a supply ofsealing strips I2; which may comprise of aroller 25 which travels lengthwise oi.' ,a fixed 2l. Throughout the conventional and well-known way.

Ihe carriage I3 serves as a support for a meinber 22 which is vertically slidable on said carriage I3 and at its lower end carries a suction head 23. The specific construction of the latter may be of any conventional type, the suction head 23 in any case being connected with a source of suction, for instance, by means of af suitable tube major portion of the reciprocationof the carriage I Sthe member 22 is held against downward vertical, movement by means rail 2U, the latter United states Patent et predetermined points being of the member 2&2. This enables the suction-head 23 to remove terminal sealing strips or labels I2 from the upper end of the supply stack and eifect the initial application thereof to the boxes to be sealed. The aforesaid vertical movements of the member 22 and its associated-elements on the carriage I3 may be effected by means of any suitable mechanism such as shown, for instance, in Patent No. 2,227,816 previously mentioned herein.

In the box sealing machine illustrated in Figs. 1-6 inclusive, the sealing strips or labels I 2 picked up successively by the suction-head 23' from the supply stack are provided with a coating of adhesive on one surface during the 'transfer of said sealing strips or vlabels I2 from the supply stack to the point of application to the boxes which are to be sealed. For this purpose each sealing strip or label I2 subsequent to its removal from the supply stack by the suction-head 23 is carried into progressive tangential contact with the adhesive applying roll 21 of the adhesive applying means 28 suitably mounted inI proper position in the machine as shown in Fig.`2. The adhesive applying means 28 may be of any suitable construction and needs no further description as per se it does not constitute a novel feature of the instant machine.

The apparatus for applying thelsealing strips or labels I2 to the boxes to be sealed comprises a main guide member 29 secured in an upright position on a supporting bracket suitably mounted upon or forming part of the machine frame I0. A gib plate 30 is fixed in place on the guide member 29 inany convenient manner as by means of screws 3| and asecond gib plate 32 is provided with slots 33 for the accommodation of screws 34 whereby said gib plate 32 is adjustably mounted on said main guide member 29. The latter in conjunction with the inwardly projecting portions of the gib plates 3U and 32 provides a vertical guideway in which a mainslide 35 is slidably mounted for movement in vertical ldirections.

An auxiliary channeled guide member 36 is suitably fastened-upon the face of the main slide 35 to move therewith and forms part of or is secured to a bracket 31 which includes a forked the boxes being sealed.

The apparatus, in addition to the parts so f'ar mentioned, includes control means whereby the wiping device is controlled, or more specifically, whereby the brush lever 39 is rocked on the pivot to shift the brush 49 from an operative position to an inoperative position and vice versa during an operative cycle of the machine. The

aforesaid means is illustrated in the form of a control device comprising a rocking lever 53 pivotally mounted on a stud 54 carried by the auxiliary guide member 35. At its outer end the lever 53 is provided with recesses 55 and 59 for the reception of the roller 4I of the lever 39. The arrangement is such that the recess 55 is located at a somewhat greater distance from the pivot 54 of the lever 53 than the recess 5S for the purposeA to b more fully set forth hereinafter. The con` trol device further comprises an arm 51 preferably constituting an integral part of the lever 53 and extending upwardly therefrom in an oblique direction as illustrated in Fig. 5.' At'its upper is'provided with a roller 58 arcams 59 and 60 respectively, during the vertical movements of the main slide 35 in on operative cycle of the machine. The cam 59 in the example v shown, is carried by and forms part of the gib bearing 38 projecting at an upward inclination i from the bracket 31 as shown in Fig. 5.

4 The bearing 38 provides a support for awiping device illustrated in .the form of a lever 39 which is pivotally connected therewith at 40 and at its upper end carries a roller 4I the purpose of which will appear more fully hereinafter. At an i'ntermediatev point the 4lever .39 is provided with a socket 42 for the accommodation of a coil spring 43 which bears with its outer end against an abutment member 44 projecting downwardly from the bearing 38 preferably as an integral `part thereof as shown in Fig. 5. At its lower end the lever 39 is formed with a transversely extending head 45 on which a holder 46 for a Y .wiping element or equivalent applying means is adjustably mounted. As shown in the illustrated example the holder 46 is l.located in surface engagement with the head 45 and is provided with a slot 41 for the ac odation of screws 45 whereby said holder 4 is fixed in adjusted position on said head 45.

In the illustrated example, the wiping element col'npriseaav brush 49, the back 55 of which is adiustably mounted in a grooved support 5I forming part of or Secured to the holder 45, one or more set screws 52 being provided for clamping set forth hereinafter.

vice, the rocking lever plate 30 and the cam 60 projects'from and comprises an integral part of the gib plate 32 and is selectively adjustable therewith to diil'erent set positions relatively to the cam 59. To definitely arrest the rocking movements of the control destop lugs 6I and 52 suitably spaced apart and cooperating with a stop pin 63 projecting outwardly from the auxiliary guide member 36 into the rock- ;nig 15Jaths of said lugs 6| and 62 as shown in In addition tothe sealing strips or labels the boxes to be sealed and held in place thereon while the application of the sealing strips or labels I2 to said boxes is continued, as will be clearly In its illustrated form the pressure means consists of ac pressure plunger 54 slidably guided in the auxiliary guide member 35 and suitably connected with an auxiliary pressure slide 65. At its upper end the latter is formed with a transverse, lug 66 projecting over the upper end of the'main slide 35 into registry therewith and carrying an adjustable stop inthe form of a screw 61 in threaded engagement with and xed in an adjusted position thereon by a lock nut 55. lThescrew 51 is provided at its lower end with a head l5, the free surface of which is preferably covered with a' resilient stop pad 10 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. At its lower end the pressure plunger 54 carries a pressure member 1I suitable for the particular type of box sealing loperationbeing performed. A lug 12 projects outwardly from .the

auxiliary pressure slide 55A at an intermediate 49 extends transversely to 53 may include depending parts so far mentioned. the apparatus includes pressure means whereby the I2 are initially applied to in delivery relation to a box supporting point for the accommodation of `an adjustable 4stop screw 13 in threaded engagement with said lug 'l2 and provided at its lower end with a head 14 having a resiilent. stop pad 15 secured on its free surface adapted to engage the upper end of the gib plate 38 for the purpose to be, described further on in the description. The auxiliary pressure slide 65 and the pressure plunger 4lili` with their associated parts are yieldingly connected with the main slide 35 by 4means of a coupling spring 16 having its one end connected with a pin projecting from the lug 12 and its other end attached to a pin 'Il extending outwardly from the bracket 31.

For the purpose of operating the aforesaid apparatus, the machine includes a lever 'i8 loosely mounted on the shaft I6 and. provided with a rounded front end 19 projecting into a slot 8d located at the upper e'ncl of the main slide 35, as illustrated in Fig. 5. .Any suitable mechanism may be provided in the machine for rocking the lever i8 on the shaft i6 to vertically reciprocate the main slide 35 and its associated elements in the intended manner." in the villustrated example,

f the aforesaid mechanism may be of the same type and operate inthe same way as shown in Patent No'. 2,227,816 referred to hereinbefore.

For the purpose of delivering the boxes to be sealed, tc the mechanism for applying the'sealing strips or labels l2, the machine includes an endless conveyor di, the upper run of which travels in a direction toward said mechanism. The conveyor 8| passes over rollers or pulleys 82 and is operated in any convenient manner., for instance by operatively connecting the shaft 83 on which one roller or pulley 82 is fixed, with a suitable source of power such as an electric motor. Guide members or rails 8d extendilengthwise of 81 mounted in transverse relation to said conveyor 8| on a plate 88 carried by beams 89 spaced apart in parallel relation and extending transversely across the front of the machine -as shown in Fig. 1. The beams 89 and their associated elements preferably are vertically adjustable as a unit and accordingly may be connected by transverse webs and thereby mounted on vertical rods.

98 slidable in bearings 9i located on a plate illi associated with the beams 89. Any s uitable means may be provided for slidably shifting the rods 98 in the bearings 8| .to eiect the vertical adjustment of the beam 89. For instance, the rods dii' may be threaded for the accommodation of nuts 92 which in co-operation with the adjacent bearings 9i may serve to accomplish said vertical adjustment. The supporting member 8l is located midway between two guide members 93 mounted on the beams 89 in any convenient manner in spaced parallel relation as shown in Fig. 2, and spaced apart; in a manner to slidably accommodate the boxes 85 as illustrated in Fig. 2. To provide for the accommodations of boxes 85 of different dimensions one of guide members @3 may be carried by brackets 9d adjustably attached to thecontiguous beam 89 in a manner to enable the one guide member 93 to be shifted toward the upper run of the conveyor 8i in operative Arelation to and lengthwise of the opposite longitudinal edges of said conveyor 8|. The guide members i are mounted in any suitable manner, preferably so as to be adjustable in parallelismtoward include a hinged closing nap or cover 86 for clos. I

ing one end thereof. It is to be understood however that -the machine, in the form under discussion is not arbitrarily restricted to boxes da such as illustrated in Fig. ll.

' In practice boxes such as the box B5, are placed upon the upper run of the conveyor 8| with the hinged edges of the closing flaps 86 resting upon the same, so that said flaps or covers 86 project yupwardly from the conveyor would tend to pivotally drop to an open position. To prevent this and to maintain said flapsror covers 86 in closed position, the guide members or rails 84 are adjusted to a spaced'parallel relation in which the closed ends of said boxes 85 are in slidable surface contact with one of said guide rai1s'84, while the closing aps or covers 88 in their c1osed positions are in corresponding slldable surface engagement with the other guide 8| and normally rail 8l. Because of this arrangement, the covers Il will be maintained in said closed position by the one guide rail 8l as said boxes 85 are progressively advanced by A mechanism for applying the sealing.` vstrips or labelslthereto.. -l

The delivery end of the conveyor 8| is located member the conveyoryll toward the and away from its associate member B3. If desired, both guide members 93 may be adjustably mounted on the' respective beams 89. Flanges 95 may be xed on the upper edges of the members 93 so as to project inwardly beyond the Isame for maintaining the boxes in place between said members 83.

After a box 85 has' been delivered to the supporting member 8l, it is located beyond the guide rails 8d neitherof which at this stage accordingly functions to maintain the cover or flap 86 of said box in its closed position. The machine therefore is provided with convenient means whereby ,this function is performed in the aforesaid delivered position of said box 85.

'in its illustrated form the means; comprises a iiap member 96 projecting radially from a sleeve al pivotally mounted on a pinl 9B supported on an upright bracket 99 secured to one of the beams 89 as shown in Fig. 1. The sleeve el carries a lug ii to which one end of a spring lill is fastened, the other end of said spring being connected with a pin |82 or the like, fixed on one of the guide members 93. The flap member 9G is so arranged that it will engage the closing flap d@ -of the box d5 as the latter is transferred to supporting member 8l. This arrangement is such that the flap member 96 in co-operation with the one guide rail 84 prevents the cover flap 86 oi the box B5 from materially shifting from its closed position during the transfer of a box 85 to the supporting member 8l.

.The machine further lengthwise of the supporting member 81 from its initial position thereon to a position in which a sealing strip or label .I2 is deposited thereon and partially applied-thereto.

-In its illustrated form.`the shifting means comprises a carrier |83. slidably mounted on a rail |04 suitably supported in place ln the machine by brackets |05 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. During an operative period the carrier |03 is reciprocated on the rail |05 inany convenient manner. as for instance by means of a lever |08 pivoted at |01 on a lug l|08 forming part of the'plate I0".

a roller |88 projecting into-the cam groove III includes shiftingA means V whereby a box 85 is shifted the boxes 85 to of a-barrel cam I Il xed upon a power shaft ||2. The upper end of said lever\|06is connected by ,means of a coupling rod ||3 with the carrier |03,

the latter connection being rendered resilient by means of a spring ||4. The reciprocation of the carrier |03 is arrested by means of preferably adjustable stops ||5 suitably supported in the path of the carrier |03 at opposite ends of said path.

The shifting means under discussion further includes a slide ||8 mounted on the carrier |03 for vertical reciprocation in guides ||1 located thereon. At its upper end the slide ||8 carries a cross-bar ||8 which in turn supports two horizontal members ||9 in spaced `parallel relation with each other and with the supporting member 81 upon opposite sides of the latter as shown in Fig. 2. The members ||9 are each provided with fingers |20, |2| and |22 pivotally mounted on said members I9 and connected to pivotally rock in unison, bymeans of links |23. Springs |24 serve to permit said fingers |20, |2| and I 22 to pivotally yield if the operation of the associated mechanism is interrupted, to thereby prevent injury to said fingers and associated mechanisml as `a result of such interruption. Suitable provision ing position a horizontal brush |44 or equivalent applying device is, carried by a bracket |48 mounted upon a cross-bar |48 between the beams 89 preferably so as to be vertically adjustable.

In passing along in the machine after the application of a sealing strip or label l2 to a box 85, the latter is subjected to the action of a pressure means whereby a supplemental pressure is i developed to rmly ilx the applied sealing strip is made to 'arrest the lingers |20, |2| and |22 in .their upright operative positions without interference with the aforesaid yielding movements of said ngers |20, |2| and |22. For instance, the lingers |20 may include stops which co-operate with the members ||9 to arrest said fingers |20 and with them the fingers |2| and |22 in their upright operative positions.v

Any suitable mechanism may be included in the machine for eilectingthe vertical reciprocation of the slide |l8 and with it the members ||9 and fingers |20, |2| and |22 relatively to the carrier |03 and in proper timing with the associated elements of the machine. l

For instance, a roller |25 may be mounted upon one face of the slide i8 in perpendicular relation thereto for travel lengthwise of a groove |28 formed in and extending longitudinally of a raising and lowering rail |21. The latter is supported upon bell-crank levers |20 and |29 connected with each other by a connecting rod |30 and pivotally mounted at |3| upon lugs |32 depending from the one beam 89 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The bellcrank lever |28 includes an additional arm |33 coupled by means ofa rod or link |34 with one end of a rocking lever |35, ixed upon a shaft |38 supported uponv a lug |31 and also carrying a bell-crank lever |38. The latter carries a roller |39 in rolling contact with an end face of the barrel cam in the path of cam-noses |40 formed thereon at predetermined spaced points, and is maintained in proper engagement with the face of said cam by means ofa spring |4| effective upon the rocking'lever |35.

As a box 85 .is shifted along the Supporting member 81 from its initial position thereon into a second position' in co-operative relation with the means for initially applying a sealing strip or label I2, the flap member 98 will yield and permit pass along to said second position. As the applying position is reached, 'the closing flap 88 of said b ox 85 will engage a second flap member |4| pivotally mounted in an |42 provided in one of the guide members 98 and controlled by a spring |48. The aforesaid second flap member |4| will maintain the closing nap 88 of the box 85 in its closed Position as the initial application. of a sealing strip or label l2 takes place.

at e point beyond the above mentioned applyor label |2 in place on the box 85 and whereby the latter is fed along for removal from the machine.

As shown in Fig. 4, the pressure means comprises an endless lower belt |41 having lits upper run at approximately thefsame level as the supporting member 81, and in longitudinal registry therewith. The belt |41 passes over pulleys |48 and |49, of which the former may be an idler rotatably mounted between the beams 89. To provide for the operation and adjustment of the belt |41, the pulley |49 is fixed on a shaft' |58 journalled in bearing boxes |5| slidably mounted in slots |52 formed in the beams 89 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. 'I'he boxes |5| are adjustable in the slots |52 in any convenient manner as by means of threaded stems |53 passing through Aplates |54 fixed at the outer ends of the slots |52, and co-operating nuts |54.

The pressure means under discussion further comprises an endless upper belt |55 the lower run of which is located above and in spaced parallel registry with the upper run of the lower belt |41, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The upper belt |55 g passes over pulleys |58 and |51 vrotatably mounted on a suitably supported bracket 58 with the pulley |51 preferably fixed upon a shaft |59 to rotate therewith. In the preferred arrangement the bracket |58 is vertically adjustable to enable the distance between the upper and lower runs tively varied as may of the respective belts |41 and |55 tobe selecbe required by boxes` of different dimensions.

For the purpose of actuating the two belts |41 and |55, the shafts |50 and |59 may be provided respectively with sprocket wheels |80 and |8| operated by a sprocket chain |82 which passes over idler sprocket wheels |83 and |84 and is connected with the sprocket wheel |85 of suitable gearing contained in a gear case |88. The driving shaft |81 of said vgearing may be connected by a sprocket chain and sprocket wheels opening A |88 with the power shaft ||2, which may be operated in any convenient manner.

In addition to the parts so far described, the

. machine includes indexing means whereby the operation of the mechanism is controlled in dependence upon the delivery or non-delivery of a box 85 to the box supporting member 81 by the conveyor 8|'.

'As shown inv the illustrated example, the indexing means comprises an indexing member i 88 can'ied by an indexing shaft |10 rotatably supported. upon a stationary bracket |1| and' having its o'ne end in registry with the position on the supporting member 81 occupied by sucssive boxes 85 subsequently thereto by said conveyor 8|. A connecting rod |12 is pivotally connected at |18 with the other end of the indexing member |88, and in addition is pivotally connected at |14 with an arm |15 fixed upon a stubshaft |18'suitably journalledinthe'piate IP asahowninllig. 1. A lecondarm |11iscarriedbytheshatt |18 and isyieldinglyooupled bymeans ofarod |18 and :spring lllwithanarm |88. Thelatterisw to their delivery A2,865,665 cured upon a shaftl |8| rotatably supported by the plate la and provided with'an upright member |82 having a locking detent |83 movable beneath and into the path of van associate .detent |84 carried by the bell-crank lever |38, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4.

The connecting rod |12 further is pivotally connected at |85 with a lever upon a stationary bracket |88 under the influence of a spring |86, and carrying a roller |89 in rolling engagement with a cam |90 having a low section |9| and fixed upon the power shaft ||2.

The lever |86 and its associated elements control the suction in the suction head 23 as parts oi the indexing means, which further comprises a detent |02 xed on the shaftl |10 of the indexing member |69 and movable into and out of the vertical-path of a stop |93 and controlled by a spring |00. The stop |93 is mounted on a tripping member |95, see Fig. 3, the lower forked end |90 oi which straddles the power shaft M2. At.

its upper end the tripping member |95 is provided with spaced transverse lugs |91 which carry two adjustable projections in the form oi screws |90 extending Atoward each other in registry with and above and below a bell-crank lever |90 pivoted at 200 upon a bracket 20| suitably xed upon the frame l0.

Theben-crank lever |99 carries a valve 202 which controls an air-inlet opening formed in a casing 203 connected with the tube 20 and through the latter with the suction head 23. The casing 203 further is connected by means of a tube 200 with a source of suction; ,The tripping member |95 carries a roller 205 in rolling engagement with a cam 206 on the shaft ||2 whereby the operation of the valve 202 normally is effected to control the suction in the suction head 29. A spring 201 is connected with the tripping member |95 and with an operating member 208 comprising part of the operating mecahnism whereby the suction head 23 is raised and lowered on the carriage I3. This operating mechanism, in the illustrated example may be similar to and function in the`isame manner as the corresponding mechanism in Patent No. 2,227,816 previously referred to herein.

in describing the operation of the machine, it will be assumed that it is being used for sealing boxes 05. having hinged closing iiaps or covers 06 and containing for instance a prede termined number of cartridges, it being understood that this is in no sense intended to define the limits of the operative range of the may chine.

During an operative period, the boxes 85 are carried along by the upper run of the conveyor 0| with the closed ends of said boxes 85 in sliding surface engagement with one of the ,guide rails 80 and with the closing flaps or covers 86 in their closed positions in slidable surface ,contact with the other guide rail 84. As the aforesaid operations proceed, a box 85 with its ap or cover 06 held in its closed position .will be delivered to the box supporting member 81 into cooperative relation with, the nap member 96 which, at this stage, serves to maintain the flap or cover 86 of said box 85 in the closed posinon.

In proper operative sequence, the carrier |03 is shifted tothe left to the position shown in Fig. 4, by the action of the cam groove |0 on the lever |06. During this operation the roller |39 travels on the\end face of the barrel cam so that-the slide ||6 and members ||9 with the fingers |20, |2| and |22 occupy an inoperative lowered position on said carrier |03. Coincidentally with the arrival of the carrier |03 at the left hand terminus of its. path of travel, the roller |39 will ride up on a cam nose |40 and accordingly by rocking the lever |35 and bell-crank levers |28 and |29 will elevate the rail |21 which in of the groove|26 and roller |25, will raise the slide ||6 and members v|119 to thereby bring the ngers |20 and |2| into engagement with the opposite ends ofysaid box 05.

As the operation of the machine continues, the cam groove |||lacting `on the roller |09- will pivotally rock the lever |06 in a. direction to shift the carrier |00 to the right to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1. The cam noses |00 are so shaped and dimensioned that the roller |09 will remain thereon during this operative step so that the slide ||0 and members ||9 maintain their raised position with the result that the fingers |20 develop a pushing force whereby the box is shifted along the supporting member position B 4in Fig. 4. During this movement of the parts the fingers |2| serve to maintain the flap or cover 00 ofthe box 00 in its closed position, it being understood that the iiap member 92 yields against the tension of the spring |0| to permit the box 05 to pass on its Way. if a previous box 05 has occupied the position B, the ngers |22 will shift the 'same on its way as will appear more fully from the description further on. When the box 85 reaches the position B, the roller will leave the caml nose |00 and the lever |95 under the .iniiuence of the spring |0| will bepivotally rocked to correspondingly rock the bell-crank levers |20 and |29 in a. direction to lower the rail |21 and thereby move thel slide ||6 downwardly on the carrier |03. This will cause the members ||9 and fingers |20, |'2| and |22 to be correspondingly moved in a downward direction ready for another, operative cycle.

While the above operative steps are being carried out, thecarriage |3 and its associated parts will be actuated to cause the suction head 29 to pick up a terminal strip or label l2 from the upper end of thesupply stack and transport it in adhesive receiving reladon with the adhesive applying roller 21- fromwhich said strip or label l2 receives avcoating of adhesive on its one surface.

' By the time the box 05 reaches the position B the adhesive coated strip or label |2 has been carried by the suction head into applying position. The suction head 23 is then moved downwardly to deposit said strip oi' label |2 on the box 85,v the relative positions being such that one end lportion of said strip or label l2 will be brought into initial adhesive connection with the top 'of' the box 05 with the'remainder of said strip or label projecting outwardly beyond an end of said box 85.

In proper yoperative synchronism the pressure plunger 64 is moved` downwardly to cause the pressure member 1| to press the applied end portion of the strip or label I2 into firm adhesive connectiomwith the top of the box 85. After this operative step has taken place, the brush '09 will continue to move downwardly to wipe turn through the co-operation 01 from the position A to thev the iiap member III. At this stage the opposite end portion of the strip or label I2 extends downwardly beyond the bottom of the box 85 as illustrated in Fig. 4.

As the mechanism is operated in the manner previously described to shift -a successive box 85 from the position A to the position B, the lfinger |22 will develop a pushing force on the of the pressure belts |41 and |55. The latter will continue the advance of the sealed boxes 85 to the point of removal from the machine and during such advance will apply supplemental `pressure to the tops and bottomsof said boxes 85 whereby the adhesive application of the strips or labels I2 thereto will be insured. At the same time theaction of the belts |41 and |55 will remove any wrinkles or equivalent defects in the applied strips or labels |2A with the result that the latter are smoothly and uniformly applied to said boxes when the latter leave the machine. At the same time the flaps or covers 86 are securely iixed in their closed position to eftlciently seal said boxes 85 against unauthorized removal of or tampering with the contents thereof.

During operative periods of the machine, the suction in the suction head 23 is controlled by the indexing means previously referred to herein,'in such a manner that if, for some reason,

` no box 85 is delivered to the position A or for some other reason is not present thereat, no suction will be developed in said suction head 23. Consequently under such conditions the latter will not pick up a terminal sealing strip or label I2 from the supply stack. At the same time the suction head 23 under such conditions will be maintained at a level above that of the adhesive applying roller 21 so that the face of said suction head 23 will not be soiled with adhesive as the carriage I3 is shifted lengthwise of the rail |4 toward the applying station.

the corresponding elements of said application.4

As the operative cycle of the machine proceeds, the tripping member |95 with its projec-f tions |98 is operated to actuate the valve 282 so as to control the suction in the suction head 23 to pick up successive sealing strips or labels I2 from the supply stack and release said sealing strips or labels I2 at the applying station. AtY

the same time the raising and lowering of said suction head 23 in operative synchronism with |85. 'Ihe shaft |10 accordingly will be rocked and will shift the detent |92 beneath the stop |98 of the tripping member |95. v I'he latter as a result will be iixed against downward movement and the valve 202 will not close the air-inlet opening in the casing 203 and therefore no suction will be developed in the suction head 23 and no terminal sealing strip or label I2 will be picked up thereby from the supply stack. At

the same time the 4operating member 208 and its 'associated parts will be controlled in the same way as in Patent No. 2,227,816 to prevent the suction head 23 from contacting with the' adhesive applying roll 21.

As the indexing member |69 is rocked on its pivot |10 because of the absence of a box 85 at station A., the connecting rod |12, by means of the arm |15 rocks the shaft |16 and swings the arm |11 in a direction to develop a pull upon the rod |18. This will swing the arm |80 and rock the shaft |8I in a direction to shift the detent |83 beneath the detent.|84 to thereby lock the bell-crank lever |38 and with it the associated mechanism to arrest the raising of the slide 5 and its related elements.

or labels I2a is supported in any conventional manner, for instance, as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the frame I0 supports the mechanism for conveying individual sealing strips or labels l2* from the supply stack thereof to the application point of the machine, and for providing the strips or labels |2l with coatings of adhesive by means of an adhesive applying roller 21 during such conveyance. 'I'he mechanism referred to may be of any suitable type, such as for instance illustrated in Fig. 5 excepting that in the instant form two wiping elements or brushes 49a are included instead of only one brush 49.v As a matteer of fact the mechanism under' discussion may correspond to and operate similarly to that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 303,564, iiled November 9, i939, and in such case further includes a suction head and its associated elements corresponding to the suction head 23 and associated elements of the ilrst form herein described, or to In addition the mechanism comprises pressure means including a pressure member 1|a corresponding to the pressure member 1| of the form first described herein and operating in substantially the same way.

The form oi' the machine now being described,

, Yincludes an auxiliary frame |||c suitably secured the other parts is controlled by the operating member 208 and its associated elements.

Whenever a box 85 is present at the position A in Fig. 4, the rocking movement of the indexing member |69 under the influence of the spring |86'l on the lever |88 each time the low section |9| ofthe/cam |90 registers with the roller |88, is prevented by said box 85 which in such position is located beneath the free end'of said indexing member |69.

When, however, no box4 85 is in the position A the indexing member |68 will be free to rock and the roller |89 will drop into the low section `|9| ofthe cam |80 by the action of the spring upon the frame I0b and an endless conveyor 8|* which passes over pulleys 82, one of which is mounted on a shaft 83 rotatably mounted on the auxiliary frame I0c in any convenient manner. The conveyor BI may be operated in any usual Away as by operatively connecting the shaft 88B on which the one roller or pulleyf82 is fixed, with a suitable source of power such as an electric motor. The upper run of the conveyor 8 |Ir travels lengthwise of a guide member or rail 84 in a direction toward the point at which the 4sealing strips or labels l2* are deposited in applying relation to the boxes 85* to be sealed. The delivery end of the conveyor 8I is located in delivery relation to a box supporting member-81a which is pivoted at 81b upon the auxiliary frame I8 and extends toward an associate supportlar to and normally function in the the corresponding mechanism in Patent No.

` receivingposition B in Fig'.

accuses spaced registering relation preferably so as -to be adjustable toward ,and away from eachother, provision being made in any convenient manner as by screws 2l2 for fixing said members 2H in adjusted positions. In the operation of the machine successive sealing strips or labels t2a are deposited on said members 2l i by the suction vhead so as to span the space therebetween and withthe opposite ends of said sealing strips or labels l2 in temporary adhesive connection with said members 2i l.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8, the conveyor istry with the strip or label l2 currently supg ported on the members 2l l.

224, and provided at member 209 is In the illustrated mechanism whereby this transverse shifting of the boxes 85a is eiiected, comprises` a bell-crank lever 230 xed on the shaft 225 with the lever its upper end with a pushmember 236 preferably mounted in place by means of a screw 232 and slot attachment 233 so as to be adjustable onsaid lever 230. At its lower end the latter carries a roller 232 in rolling vengagement with an operating cam 235 fixed upon the power shaft H2, A tension spring 230*L is effective on the lever 230 to maintain its roller 234 in contact with said cam 235 and to urge said lever 23d todi and the box supporting member 8l are located in registry with an index member 2l3 which is part of an indexing means designed to control the mechanism for applying the sealing strips or labels l2'in dependence upon the delivery or non-delivery of a box 85e to the position A' in Fig. '7. The index member 2l3 further is designed to normally act as a stop for arresting the travel of successive boxes B in said position A',

when the latter, in succession, arrive at said station.

The index member 29a is vertically reciprocable in the machine, and at its lower end is connected by means of a pivot pin 2id. with a link 2lb which in turn is yieldingly connected, under the inuence of a spring 2l6, with an arm 2H xed upon a shaft 2id. The latter is rotatably mounted in the machine and carries a second and is constructed at its upper end 'to project over said boxes 25B ward the left in Fig. 8. The` aforesaid transverse shifting of the boxes lib takes place on the supporting member 21a as illustrated in Fig. 8.

In the operation of the machine, the lever 23D and the lever 222 are rockedin unison to cause the pushing member 23! t'o swing to' and fromthe dotted line position to the solid line position and vice versa in Fig. 8, to thereby shift a box 25a from the position A' to the position B' and to cause such box 85a to shift a previous box t5 to which ay sealing strip or label l2EL has beenl partly applied, from the position B to enable the application of this strip or label l2 to be completed. Whenever a -box 85e is in position A' the index member 2|3 will be prevented from moving downwardly to any appreciable extent so that the aforesaid operations will be carried out without hindrance.

When however no box d'5 is in position A' the index member-.2id will move downwardly to cause the projection 222 to enter the recess 226 y of the lever 224i to thereby lock the same against contact with acam lllEl fixed upon a power shaft H2B suitably journalled in the frame Elib. The shaft 2I8 carries a third arm 2MB connected by means of a link 220 with a latch member 22l pivoted at 222 on the frame ma' and co-operating with a projection 223 on an operating member `208a whereby the suction head is raised and lowered on its carriage during an operative cycle of the machine. The operating member 2118a corresponds to the operating member 20B of the form first described and likewise may be simisame way as 2,227,816 referred to hereinbefore.

The aforesaid indexing meansv cludes a lever 224 carried by a shaft 225 mounted in the machine and having a recess '228 at its upper end for the reception of a projection 221 on l.the index member 2|3, to thereby lock the lever 224 against pivotal action when no box 85 The purpose of this arrangement will appear more fully hereinafter. The projection 221 may, if desired, be adjustably mounted-on the index member 2l3 by means oi screws228 and slots 229. Y

Y When a box 35 reaches '7 it is shifted transversely to its previous advance by the conveyor 8l, to the sealing stripor label 'I beneath and in regis in position A'.

further ine arm i869 provided with a roller iste in rolling 45- pivotal movement. This arrests the rocking movement of the shaft 225 and consequently also arrests the operative movement of the lever 232 and its'pushing member 23| and accordingly prevents the box 25 currently in the position B' from being disturbed.

At the same time the rocking of the shaft 2id by the downward movement of the index member 2 I 3 swings the latch member 22! into engagement with the projection 223 and thereby locks the operating member 228e against operation to lower the suction head and any strip or label i2 carried thereby.

K- 4 The machine further includes meanswhereby the position A' in Fig manner to pivotally rock 236 and thereby shift the associated setting memthe boxes a are correctly set in the position B' so that the sealing strips or labels i2EL will be uniformly applied t'o successive boxes.

In the machine vas shown in the drawings, this means comprises bell-crank levers 23B pivoted at 231. in the machine in opposed registry with each vother and carrying positioning or setting members 2.38 at their upper ends. Operatingvrods 239 are pivotally connected at 220 with said'bellcrank levers 236. and'at 2M are pivotally and yieldingly connected under the influence of springs 242. with the members of a U-shaped yoke 243 fixed upon a shaft 244 conveniently mounted on the frame Ilib. The shaft 244K fur ther carries an arm able c am carried by the power shaft H2 and designed to pivotallyoperate the yoke 243 in a the bell-crank levers bers 238 toward vand away from each other to engage and set the box 36 correctly in -position B'. Subsequently to the application of the sealing example ofthe machine, the

to different set positions 245 provided at its free end with a, roller in rolling engagement with a suit.

i bell-crank levers 263' that the. machine strips or labels I2n to the top and opposite end surfaces of the boxes 85, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter. the latter with the partially applied strips or labels l2 are transferred to vertically movable means whereby said boxes 85` are raised to a position in which the opposite end portions of said strips or labels |2, which at this stage project freely below the bottoms of said boxes l2, are adhesively applied to said bottoms.

. suitable cam 252 fixed on the shaft ||2 as shown in Fig. 8.

At its upper end the slide 246 U-shaped element 253 having spaced upright members 253a from which angle-members 254 p each carrying angle guide members 255 project in a common horizontal direction, as illustrated in Fig. 8, the guide members 255 extending beyond the angle members 254 as shown. A supporting member 256 projects from the base of the aforesaid U-shaped element `253 in spaced horizontal parallelism with the guide members 255 and, centrally between the same, said member 256 being relatively narrow as shown in Fig. 6.

Suitable means `is provided for adhesively applying the free end portions of the sealing strips or labels v|2a to the bottoms of the boxes/85a, which means, in the illustrated example, includes horizontal brushes 251 of a length corresponding approximately to length of the guide members 255 beyond lthe uprightmembers 253a as shown in`Fig. 8. The backs 258 of the brushes 251 are secured to angle members 259 which in turn are adjustably mounted in surface engagement with angle-irons 268 by means of screws 26| movable in slots 262 asillustrated in Fig. 8.

The angle-irons 268, in turn, are carried by pivoted at 264 in the machine in opposed registering relation with each other, and preferably provided with lugs 265 arranged to engage stops 266 for arresting the rocking movements of said levers 263 toward each other. The stops 266 preferably are adjustable and the machine, as for instance the guideway 241. The arrangement is such that the brushes 251 and the backs 258 thereof are located above the normal lowered position of the supporting member 256, which in such position is at approximately the same level as the associate supporting member 81.

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for operating the brushes 251 in proper synchronism and timing with the other parts of the machine.

The mechanism referred Ato may for instance, comprise operating rods 26.1 pivotally connected at 268 with the bell-crank levers 263 and pivctally connected at 2,69 under the influence of springs 218 with the spaced arms 21| of .ifrocking member 212.

'I'he latter is pivotally mounted at 250 inthe machine and includes an integral member 213 provided at its free end with a roller 1214 in rolling engagement with a suitable 4operating cam 215 on the shaft H2". f

In describing the second form oi' the machin illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, it `vill be assumed that it is being used for sealing boxes 85m having telescopic covers 86S, it being understood may be used with `equal-elllterminates in a are mounted on a suitable part 'of ciency on any other type of box or similar article yfor applying a strip or label to the tops. ends, Land bottoms thereof. y

During an operative period, the boxes 85'I with the covers 86EL in place thereon are carried along by the upper run of the conveyor 8|SL and are -finally transferred in succession to the supporting member 81. The advance of the boxes f along the supporting member 81a is brought about by successive boxes engaging and pushing the boxes in advance thereof until finally one of the boxes reaches the associate supporting member 81"L in abutting engagement with the index member 2| 3. At this stage in the operations, the pushing member 23| of the bell-crank lever 230 occupies. the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8 or in other words, projects behind the box 85E currently located in the position A in said Fig. 8. In proper timing the shaft 225 is rocked on its axis to operate the lever 230 ina direction to swing the pushing member 23| toward the left in Fig. 8 to the position B therein. When the box 85 reaches the position B the bell-crank levers 236 will be operated to cause the positioning or setting members 238 thereof to correctly set said box 85'i in said position B' in proper relation to the applying mechanism whereby a sealing strip or label |2a is initially applied to said box.

'the brushes 4 l In proper operative synchronism with the aforesaid operations, the suction head of the machine and its associated elements have been or are'operated to pick up a s'ealing strip or label |2a from the supply stack and to pass it in adhesive receiving relation to the adhesive applying roller 21L and subsequently to deposit the opposite ends of said strip or label I2 upon the supporting members 2|| in temporary adhesive connection therewith and so as to span the space therebetween as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 7.

At the proper moment, the pressure meinber 1|- will be operated downwardly to press the intermediate portion of the sealing strip or label l2n upon the top of the .box 85 currently in the position B', and in proper synchronismvtherewith will be shifted downwardly to withdraw the ends of the sealing strip or label I2 from the supporting members 2|| and to adhesively apply said sealing strip or label I2'L to the opposite ends of said box a. At this stage. the opposite free ends of the sealing strip or label I2 depend downwardly beyond the bottormof said box 85. At this point in the operative cycle of the machine the supporting member 256 carried by the slide o246 occupies its lowered position at a commonl level with the associate supporting member 81. At this time the lever 230 is operated to vcause its pushing member 23| to shift the next successive -box 85Il from the position A' in Fig. 8 to the position B* therein and to thereby transfer the 85 with the sealing strip or label plied thereto from said position l2 partlyap- B' into place .upon the right hand end portion of the supportpreceding box l opposite ends hesively applying predetermined cover thereof in its closed y and its associated elements including the supporting member 256 reach their uppermost position, the bellfcrank levers 263 will be pivotally swung toward each other to correspondingly actuate the brushes 251 and thereby cause the latter to fold or wipe the depending free end portions of the previously applied sealing strip or label i2* into adhesive engagement with the boti i tom of the box 85.

As the operative cycle of the machine is con'- tinued, successive boxes 85 will pass from the yposition B' in Fig. 8 to the supporting member 256 and will advance previous boxes 86 in place on said supporting member 256 until vfinally successive completely sealed or labeled boxes tita n pass from the machine into a suitable receptacle or be otherwise removed therefrom. As the boxes 86 pass along the supporting member 256, each box will be guided by the guide members 255 and be acted upon a plurality of times, that is three .times in the illustrated example, by the brushes 25V so that the Afree end portions of the sealing strips or labels i2 will be securely and uniformly attached to the bottoms of the respective boxes dta. j

If during an loperative period of the machine a box 3de fails to reach the position A', the index member 233 and its associated elements will be operated to arrest certain functions of the mechanism as previously pointed out -herein to thereby avoid any interruption of or interference with the proper operation of the machine.

In all of ijfs forms the machine is of maximum emciency for its intended purp'oses and requires no particularlyskilled supervision in its operation.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims withoutv departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. In a machine of the kind described, the combination of means for receiving and supporting an article in an initial position in said machine, means for 'box from said initial position to an arrested reshifting said'box from said predetermined point shifting said boxY from said predetermined point to a' stationary sealing strip receiving position,

means for continuing the shifting of said box subsequent to a rest period at said stationary sealing strip receiving` position, and means having an operative applying cycle which begins with an initial deposit of a sealing strip on said box during said rest period at said stationary receiving position and is completed during said continued shifting of said box from said stationary sealing stripposition, for applying said sealing strip to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secure said cover against pivotal'movement relatively thereto.

4. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies and covers telescopically combined therewith, the combination of means vfor receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means for shifting said box from said predetermined point to a stationary sealing strip receiving position, means for continuing the shifting of said box subsequent to a rest period at said stationary sealing strip receiving position, and means having an operative cycle beginning with an initial deposit of a sealing strip on said box during said rest period at said box to secure said coveragainst telescopic move mentv relatively to said body.

1 5. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means for to a stationary sealing strip receiving position, means associated with said shifting means for maintaining the hinged cover of said box in its closed position during said shifting, means operative at said sealing strip receiving position for 'maintaining said cover in said closed position during a rest period of said box thereat, means shifting said article from said initial postion to an arrested receiving position for continuing the shifting of said box subsequent to said rest period, and means having an operative appl ing cycle which begins with an initial deposit of a sealing strip on said box during said rest period at said stationary receiving position and is completed during said continued shiftingof said box from said sta.'- tionary sealing strip receiving position, for applying said sealing s trip to` opposed surfaces j of the body of said box to secure said cover in ceiving position at an applying station therein,

means operative at said applying station for adportions of said strip to said arrested box to include the cover thereof and leaving said strip'otherwise free 4from said box means for shifting said box with 'the partly applied strip from said applying station,

and nieans, for completing the adhesive applits closed position.

6. In^a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined pointin said machine, means at said predetermined point for maintaining said hinged cover against pivotal movement, means for shiftingv said box from said predetermined point to a stationary sealing strip receiving po sition, means associated with said shifting means formaintaining said hinged cover in its closed position during said shifting, means for continuing the shifting of said box subsequent to a rest period at said sealing strip receiving position, and means for initially applying a sealing strip to said cover' while said box is at restand subsequently to opposed surfaces of the body of said box during said continued shifting thereof to secure said cover in its closed position.

7. In a machine for lsealing boxes comprising 'lobodies having hinged covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine. yieldable means at said predetermined point for temporarily maintaining said hinged cover in said closed position, means for shifting said box from said predetermined point to a stationary sealing strip receiving position, means independent of said yieldable means associated with said shifting means for maintaining said cover in said closed position during such shifting, and means having an applying cycle which begins with an initial deposit of a sealing strip on said stationary box at said receiving position and subsequently continues for applying a sealing strip to said cover and to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secure said cover in its closed position.

8. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means at said predetermined point for temporarily maintaining said hinged cover in its closed position, a horizontal stationary rail, a, carrier slidably mounted on said rail, vertical guides on said carrier, a slide vertically reciprocable in said guides, spaced horizontal members carried by said slide, yielding ngers mounted on said members for engagement with opposite ends of said box to respectively develop a pushing force thereon and to maintain said cover in said closed position, a. vertically movable rail provided with a groove extending lengthwise thereof, a roller on said slide movable in said groove whereby said slide is coupled to said vertically movable rail, pivoted bell-crank levers connected with each other and with said vertically movable rail, a rotatably mounted shaft, a rocking lever fixed on said shaft and connected with one of said bell-crank levers, an operating bell-crank lever secured on said shaft, a roller carried by said last named bell-crank lever, a cam eiective on said roller and its bell-crank lever to rock said shaft and rocking lever whereby said pivoted bellcrank levers are actuated to raise and lower said vertically movable rail and to thereby correspondingly operate said slide and spaced horizontal members to operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, said yielding ngers engaging said box at its opposite ends in the operative position of said spaced horizontal members,

'means for slidably reciprocating said carrier on said stationary rail whereby said box is shifted from said predetermined point while said slide and spaced horizontal members are in the operative position, and means for subsequently applying a sealing strip to said cover and to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secure said cover in its closed position.

9. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a. box at a predetermined point in said machine, means at said predetermined point for temporarily maintaining said hinged cover in its closed position, a horizontal stationary rail, a carrier slidably mounted on said rail, vertical guides on said carrier, a slide vertically reciprocable in said guides, spaced horizontal members carried by said slide, yielding fingers` mounted on said members for i engagement with opposite ends of said box to respectively develop a pushing force thereon and i lower said vertically movable rail and to thereby correspondingly operate said slide and spaced horizontal members to operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, said yielding fingers engaging said box at its opposite ends in the operative position of said spaced horizontal members, means for slidably reciprocating said carrier on said stationary rail whereby said box is shifted from saidv predetermined point while said slide and spaced horizontal members are in the operative position, and means for subsequently applying a sealing strip to said cover and to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secure said cover inits closed position.

10. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged c0v ers,-the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means at said predetermined point for temporarily maintaining said hinged cover in its closed position, a horizontal stationary rail, a carrier slidably mounted on said rail, vertical guides on said carrier, a slide vertically reciprocable in said guides, spaced horizontal members carried by said slide, yielding ngers mounted on said members for engagement with opposite ends of said box to respectively develop a pushing force thereon and to maintain said cover in said closed position, a vertically movable rail provided with a groove extending lengthwise thereof, a roller on said slide movable in said groove whereby said slide is coupled to said vertically movable rail, means for raising and lowering said vertically movable rail to thereby correspondingly operate said slide and spaced horizontal members to operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, said yielding lingers engaging said box at its opposite ends in the operative position of said spaced horizontal members, means for slidably reciprocating said carrier on said stationary rail whereby said 'box is shifted from said predetermined point while said slide and spaced horizontal members are in the operative position, and means for subquently applying a sealing strip to said cover and to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secure said cover inits closed position.

11. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means at said predetermined point for temporarily maintaining said hinged cover in its closed position, a horizontal stationary rail, av carrier slidably mounted on said rail, vertical guides on said carrier, a slide vertically reciprocable in said guides, spaced horizontal members carried by said slide, yielding fingers mounted on said members for engagement with opposite ends of said box to respectively develop a pushing force thereon and to maintain said cover in said closed position, means for raising and lowering said slide and spaced horizontal members on said carrier to operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, said yielding ngers engaging said box at its opposite ends in the operative position of said spaced horizontal members, means for reciprocating said carrier on said stationary rail whereby said box is shifted from said predetermined point while said slide and` spaced horizontal members are in the operative position, and means for subsequently applying a sealing strip to said cover and to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secures'aid cover in its closed position.

Y12. In a machine for. sealing boxes having movable ,-covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means for shifting said box from said predetermined point, means for 'subsequently applying a sealing strip to said box to secure the cover thereof againstrelative movement, and indexing means effective at Said predetermined point for arresting the operation of said shifting means and applying means when no box is present at said predetermined point.

13. In amachine for sealing boxes comprising bodies having hinged covers, the combinationof means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, means at said` predetermined point for temporarily maintaining saidhinged cover in its closed position, 4

a. horizontal stationary rail, a carrier slida-bly mounted on said rail, vertical guides on said carrier, a slide vertically reciprocable in said guildes, spaced horizontal members carried by sa d slide, yielding fingers mounted on said members for engagement with opposite ends of said box to respectively develop a pushing force thereon and to maintain -said cover in said closed position, a vertically movable rail provided with a groove extending lengthwise/thereof, a roller on saidslide movable in said groove whereby said slide' is coupled to said vertically movable rail, pivoted bell-crank levers connected with each other and with said vertically movable rail, a rotatably mounted shaft, a rocking lever fixed on said shaft and connected with one of said bellcrank levers, anoperating bell-crank lever secured on said shaft, a roller carried by said last named bell-crank lever, a cam effective on said roller and its bell-crank lever to rock said shaft and rocking lever wherebysaid pivoted bell-crank levers are actuated to raise and lower said vertically movable rail and to thereby correspondingly operate said slide and spaced horizontal members to operative and inoperative positions and vice versa, said yielding fingers engaging said box at its oppositeends in the operative position of said spaced horizontal members, means for slidably reciprocating said lcarrier on said stationary rail whereby said box is shifted from said predetermined point while said slide and spaced horizontal members are in the operative position,-

means including a suction head for subsequently applying a sealing strip to said cover and to opposed surfaces of the body of said box to secure said coverin its closed position, a tripping member for controlling the suction in said suction head, an associate detent on said operating bellcrank lever, a shaft journalled in said machine,

lan arm fixed upon said shaft, a locking detentcarried by said arm in co-operative relation to said associate detent, a stub shaft journalled in said machine, an arm fixed upon said stub shaft connected with the arm on the last previously mentioned shaft, a second arm secured on said stub shaft, an indexing shaft located adjacent said predetermined point, an indexing member carried by said indexing shaft andlprojecting over said predetermined point, a connecting rod connecting s'aid indexing member with said sec- .ond arm, a detent fixed on said indexing shaft, and astopon said tripping member in co-operative relation to said last named detent, and.

means for operating said indexing member, when no box is present at said predetermined point, to thereby shift said locking detent into engagement with said associate detent and to adjust said last named detent into engagement with said stop whereby elevation of the -vertically movable rail is -arrested and the development ofA suction in said suction head is prevented. y

14. In amachine for sealing boxes having movable covers, the combination of means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined `point in said machine, means for shifting said 10. box to an arrested position at a receiving station, means for initially applying a sealing strip -to said arrested box subsequently to its receipt at said receiving station to secure the cover of said box in its closed position, means for shifting said box with said initially applied label from said receiving station, -pressure belts having opposed runs in spaced parallel superimposed relation to each other, the' lower of said belts receiving and supporting said box and means for operating said belts to cause the opposed runs thereof to subsequently apply supplemental pressure to said box to iirmly iix the applied *sealing strip in place thereon and to coincidentally adiance said box for removal from the machine.'

bodies and covers telescopically combined therewith, the combination means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, supporting members located in spa/ced registry with each other for supporting an adhesive coated sealing strip ,in applying position,

means for depositing said sealing strip on said supporting members to span the space therebetween andwith the opposite ends of said strip in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members, a shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, a bell-crank lever fixed on said shaft, a pushing member carried by said bellcrank lever at one end, va roller carried by said bell-crank lever at its other end, an operating cam eifective on said roller to pivotally rock said bell-crank lever -to cause said pushing member to shift said box from said predetermined point into receiving relation with the sealing strip on saidsu'pporting members, means for positioning saidbox in said receiving relation, means for applying the intermediate portion of said sealing strip tothe top surface of said cover, means for the upper end of said slide, a supporting member` l' projecting from the base of said U- shaped element and arranged to receive-and support the box subsequently to the partial application of 6 the sealing strip thereto, guide members in spaced parallel relation to said'supporting member for guiding the box thereon, means for ele'- vating said slide andfits associated elements to thereby shift the box on said supporting member tion, horizontal brushes-located in /opposed registering relation on opposite sides of U-shapedl5. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising l to a level above the previous stripreceiving posi- .16. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies and covers telescopically combined therewith, the combination means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, supporting members located in spaced registry with each other for supporting an adhesive coated sealing strip in applying position, means for depositing said sealing strip on said supporting members to span the space therebetween and with the opposite ends of said strip in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members, a shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, a bell-crank lever xed on said shaft, a pushing member carried by said bellcrank lever at one end, a roller carried by said bell-crank lever at its other end, an operating cam effective on said roller to pivotally rock said bell-crank lever to cause said pushing member to shift said box from said predetermined point into receiving relation with the sealing strip on said supporting' members, means for positioning said box in said receiving relation, means for applying the intermediate portion of said sealing strip to the top surface of said cover, means for withdrawing the ends of said strip from said supporting members and for applying the sealing strip to opposite end surfaces of said cover with the opposite ends of said sealing strip projecting below the bottom of the body of saidbox, vertically movable means for receiving and supporting the box subsequently to the partial application of the sealing strip thereto and for raising uid box to a level above the previous strip receiving position, and means operative at said higher level for adhesively applying the depending ends ofthe sealing strip to the bottom of the body of said box.

17. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies and covers telescopically combined theree with, the combination means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, supporting members located in spaced registry with each other for supporting an adhesive coated sealing strip in applying position, means for depositing said sealing strip on said supporting members to span the space therebe-l tween and with the opposite ends of said strip in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members, a shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, a bell-crank 'lever xed on said shaft, a pushing member carried by said bellcrank lever at one end, a roller carried by said bell-crank lever at its other end, an operating ,cam effective on said roller to pivotally rock said bell-crank lever to cause said pushing member to shift said box from said predetermined point into receiving relation with the sealing strip on said supporting members, means for disconnecting the sealing strip from said supporting means Fand for applying said sealing strip to the top and opposite end surfaces of said cover with the opposite ends of said sealing strip extending below the bottom of the body of said box, vertically movable means for receiving and supporting said box subsequently to the partial application o'f the sealing strip thereto and for raising said box to a level above the previous strip receiving position, and means operative at said higher level for adhesively applying the depending ends of the sealing strip to the bottom of the body/of said'box.

i8. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies and covers telescopically combined therewith, the combination means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, supporting members located in spaced registry with each other for supporting an adhesive coated sealing strip in applying position, means for`depositing said sealing strip'on said supporting members to span the space therebetween and with the opposite ends of said strip in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members, means for shifting said box from said predetermined point into receiving relation with the sealing strip on said supporting members, means for disconnecting the sealing strip from said supporting members and for applying said sealing strip to the top and opposite end surfaces of said cover with the opposite ends of said sealing strip extending below the bottom 0f the body of said box, vertically movable means for progressively receiving and supporting a plurality of boxes subsequently to the partial application of sealing strips thereto and for raising said boxes to a level above the previous strip receiving position, and mean operative at said higher level for adhesively applying the depending ends of the sealing strip to the bottoms of the bodies of the supported boxes, said last named means being repeatedly effective on said ends of the sealing strips throughout the progress of said boxes on said supporting member.

19. In a machine for sealing boxes comprising bodies and covers telescopically combined therewith, the combination means for receiving and supporting a box at a predetermined point in said machine, supporting members located in spaced registry with each other for supporting an adhesive coated sealing strip in applying position, means including a suction head for depositing said sealing strip on said supporting members to span the space therebetween and with the opposite ends in temporary adhesive connection with said supporting members, an operating member for controlling the suction in said suction head, shifting means for shifting said box from said predetermined point into receiving relation with the sealing strip on said supporting members, means for applying said sealing strip to the top surface and opposite end surface of said cover and to the bottom of the body of said box, an index member located in operative relation to said predetermined point, means for operating said index member, a projection on said index member, a projection on said operating member, a latch member in operative relation to the projection on said operating member, and a lever movable with said shifting means and provided with a recess movable into the path of the projection-on said index member, said index member being restricted in its operation when a box is present at said predetermined point and otherwise being unrestricted in its operation lwhereby said projection on said index member is shifted into the recess ofsaid lever to lock said shifting means against operation when no box is present at said predetermined point and said latch member is engaged with the projection on said operating member to restrain the latter'against operation and thereby coincidentally prevent the development of suction in said suction head when no box is in place at said predetermined point. GEORGE W. voN I-IOFE. 

